2019 Corvette ZR1

The latest generation Corvette has been out for a few years now and when the Z06 came out, the exotic sports car market had a serious problem. One that involved 650 Horsepower and 650 Foot-pounds of Torque from an $85,000 dollar car. Not only was this a rocket ship in a straight-line but the new Z06 was now also a serious contender on the track. And then Chevrolet took it one step further… they shoved that very same engine into a Camaro and put a ZL1 badge on it. The ZL1 was also blessed with a very well performing chassis and new transmission. It also happened to be just around $60,000. Granted the ZL1 didn’t have a Ferrari, Lamborghini, or McLaren badge. But when you’re able to at least hang with the big boys at a fraction of the price… how much does that really matter?

The response then from the super-car manufacturers of the world was naturally to offer more power. Well, Chevrolet has a similar response to that as well. It’s called the ZR1. And as you guessed it, it has more power than its little brother the Z06. 715 Horsepower to be exact. Of course, more power was necessary. But along with more power comes a very generous use of carbon fiber components, huge carbon ceramic disc brakes to bring you to a quick stop, massive Michelin Sport Cup 2 tires which are 335 in the rear, and the most aggressive aerodynamic package we’ve seen on a production Corvette. It also happens to look really good on the inside. We still don’t know what the top speed or 0-60 times will be looking like but if the Z06 held a sub-3 second 0-60 time and a top speed of over 200 miles-per-hour we can only expect more of it’s bigger brother. In the looks department the ZR1 appears to be yet an even more aggressive Z06.

The venting on the front bumper looks nearly twice as large as it does on the Z06 as do the side vents however the design is nicely done. The wing is also very large and aggressive looking yet works well with the rest of the aero kit and by no means does it look out of place. All-in-all, the Ferrari’s and Lamborghini’s of the world still have something to worry about. The ZR1 won’t come cheap, but we’re sure it’ll still take the fight to it’s more expensive counterparts. Both, on the track and in the wallet. Photos via General Motors.